It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
